Movable trackways for tunnels and method for moving tunnel flooring



June 23, 1964 J D. JACOBS MOVABLE TRACKWAYS F OR TUNNELS AND METHOD FORMOVING TUNNEL FLOORING 8 Sheets-Sheetl l Filed Jan. l5, 1962 INVETOR.

J DONOVAN JACOBS ATTRNEY June 23, 1964 J D. JACOBS MOVABLE TRACKWAYS FORTUNNELS AND METHOD FOR MOVING TUNNEL FLOORING 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJan. l5, 1962 INVENTOR. Jv DONOVA N JACOBS June 23, 1964 1 D. JACOBSMOVABLE TRACKWAYS FOR TUNNELS AND METHOD FOR MOVING TUNNEL FLOORING 8Sheets-Sheenl 5 Filed Jan. l5, 1962 97 33a. Bla.

\ INVENTOR 2 J DONOVAN JACOBS E I EI- El myd June 23, 1954 J D. JACOBS3,138,327

MOVABLE TRACKWAYS FOR TUNNELS AND METHOD FOR MOVING TUNNEL FLOORINGFiled Jan. l5, 1962 8 Sheets-Shea?I 4 f /Ll INVENTOR. J DONOVAN JACOBS EEr- BY I 11D JMG/ ATTORNE Y June 23, 1964 J D. JACOBS MOVABLE TRACKWAYSFOR TUNNELS AND METHOD FOR MOVING TUNNEL FLOORING Filed Jan. l5, 1962 8Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

J DONOVAN JA COBS BQJM [ya ATTURNEY J D. JACOBS MOVABLE TRACKWAYS FORTUNNELS AND METHOD June 23, 1964 FOR MOVING TUNNEL FLOORING 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 15, 1962 Jo/voww JACOBS.

June 23, 1964 J D. JACOBS MOVABLE TRACKWAYS FOR. TUNNELS AND METHOD FORMOVING TUNNEL FLOORING 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. l5, 1962 J D. JACOBSMOVABLE TRACKWAYS FOR TUNNELS AND METHOD June 23, 1964 FOR MOVING TUNNELFLOORING 8 Sheets-Sheet. 8

Filed Jan. l5 1962 INVENTOR. r/oA/OYAN JACOBS. BY

United States Patent O 3,138,327 MUS/'ABLE TRACKWAYS FOR TUNNELS ANDMETHD EUR MUVNG TUNNEL FLOORING J Donovan Jacobs, San Rafael, Calif.Filed Ian. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 166,239 21 Claims. (Cl. 23S-lil) Thisinvention relates to new and improved movable trackways for tunnels and,more particularly, relates to apparatus installed in a tunnel and whichprovides a support for equipment which can be advanced as the tunnelprogresses. The invention further relates to a method for moving tunnelflooring.

Reference is made to co-pending patent application, Serial No. 35,257tiled June 10, 1960, now abandoned, for Roadbed System for Earth BoringEquipment of which the present invention is a continuation-impart.

As a tunnel is constructed, rock and earth dislodged at the forward endof the tunnel is loaded by various types .of well-known loadingequipment into cars and hauled out of the tunnel. It is desirable tohave a support for such cars and equipment, particularly when dampnessin the tunnel creates soft or muddy conditions on the bottom.Frequently, such equipment and cars are provided with wheels which runon tracks and accordingly in the description of the invention whichfollows the apparatus which is the subject of this invention is shownwith track- Ways installed thereon. However, it will be understood thatit is not essential that tracks be provided but, on the other hand, asupport for the wheels of other types of vehicles is provided by themeans hereinafter described.

One form of the apparatus hereinafter described in detail consists of atleast three sections in longitudinal alignment, the sections beingmovable in longitudinal direction with respect to each other. The weightof any one section is substantially less than that of the remainingsections. Accordingly, the forward'most section may be moved forwardlyrelative to the next two sections by hydraulic or other means and theweight of the two remaining sections` anchors the apparatus relative tothe oor of the tunnnel and hence enables the front section to moveforward. After the front section has been moved to its new position, thefront and rear sections are held stationary and the middle section ismoved forwardly until it abuts the front section and during thismovement the front and rear sections provide the anchor against movementrelative to the tunnel oor. Finally, the last Asection is moved to abutthe second section with the front two sections forming the anchor. Wherefour or more sections are employed, the sequence of movement isessentially the same. In the drawings and description which follow, fourmovable sections are shown, but it will be understood that three or moresections may be employed.

In my co-pending application heretofore mentioned, two sections areprovided and there is further provided means for moving heavy equipmentfrom one section to the other so that the combined weight of the sectionand the equipment is greater than the section to be moved. It is afeature of the form of the present invention heretofore described thatit is not essential that the heavy equipment be moved from section tosection because the weight of any one section is substantially less thanthat of the remaining sections, either with or without the equipmentnormally in position at the head of the tunnel imposed thereon. Anotheradvantage of the rst mentioned form of the invention is the fact thatthe increments of movement of the various sections are relatively shortbecause of the fact that it is not necessary to move equipment from oneend of the apparatus to the other, and this simplies the means formoving the sections and also reduces the size and complexities thereof.

3,138,327 Patented June 23, 1964 "ice A still further feature of theinvention is the fact that the rearmost section may be constructed insuch manner that tracks are slidably mounted thereon below a fixedtrackway with the rearward end of said track attached to stationarytracks in the tunnel so that as the rearmost section moves forwardly thetrack is pulled out. Wheels may move from the track onto the trackway toestablish continuous communication. Such construction has the advantageof facilitating laying track as the tunnel job progresses.

In accordance with the present invention where a track is installed inthe tunnel, equipment and cars may be handled in convenient manner. Apreferred form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawingsshows a switch whereby cars and equipment may be passed relative toother cars and equipment.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a movable floor, roadway or trackway structure capable of beingadvanced and to support earth digging and handling apparatus with theresult that time and labor is saved in the operation of the tunnelingapparatus and the advancement of the trackway structure therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a solid steel oor fromwhich shovels can scoop the broken muck. This operation is substantiallyspeeded if the flooring of the present invention is advanced to theforward end of the tunnel prior to blasting -so that the blasted rockrests upon the steel floor.

The present invention relates to materials handling operations whereinit is desirable to advance the material handling machinery as thehandled material is removed. The specic application described hereinapplies to tunneling and mining operations and, more particularly, to amovable floor or trackway which is advanced to keep pace with theadvance of the excavation operations at the working face of the tunnelor mine.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a movable floor,roadway or trackway structure capable of being advanced by meanscontained within itself and for the purpose of supporting and providinga roadbed for movable earth boring and tunneling apparatus and overwhich said apparatus may operate, with the result that time and labor issaved in the operation of the tunneling apparatus and the advancement ofthe trackway structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a creeping trackway fortunnel construction apparatus comprising interconnected units havingsupporting rails which are advanced earthworm fashion in a new and novelmanner to provide a moving roadbed for the excavation apparatus as thework progresses.

With respect to the new and improved method which is the subject of thisinvention, in essence there is involved a method whereby as a first stepone roadbed section is pushed forward ahead of a second section which,by reason of friction, remains stationary relative to the tunnel oor.The second step involves changing the relative frictional resistancebetween the two sections and the oor. The third step involves moving thesecond section up to the rst, using the first section as an anchor byreason of its now greater frictional resistance. The carrying out of thesecond step is subject to certain modiications. Thus, as described inapplication Serial No. 35,257, one such modification whereby the changein frictional resistance is accomplished is by moving a heavy piece ofequipment originally reposing on the second section onto the rstsection. A second modification, which may be accomplished by theapparatus herein described, involves dividing at least one section intosub-sections movable relative to each other, the change in frictionalresistance being accomplished by holding stationary one section plus asub-section of the other while moving the remaining sub-section. Thus,in the second modification there are for practical purposes threerelatively movable sections, any two of which have a greater frictionalresistance than the third. A third modification involves movingequipment off the trailing section rearwardly. In the third modificationthe forward section and its equipment is made heavier than the trailingsection so that when the equipment is moved rearward relative to thetrailing section the forward section is the heavier.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a schematic side elevational view of the forward end of thetunnel showing the invention installed therein and supporting apparatus.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are schematic top plan views showingsequentially steps in the advance of the apparatus.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are composite enlarged plan views of the structureof FIG. 2C.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of thestructure of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 5 to 9 inclusive are sectional views taken along correspondinglines in portions of FIGS. 3A to 3C, inclusive, as indicated thereon.

FIG. is a fragmentary side deviation of a modification of the structureof FIG. 5.

FIGS. 11A to 11D are schematic side elevational views of a furthermodification, details of the structure of which are shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 13 to 22.

FIGS. 12A to 12D are schematic side elevational views of a still furthermodification.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial illustration indicative of the conditions inwhich the invention is intended to operate.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a modification of the invention showing theparts as in one position.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, showing the trackway `system withthe parts in another position.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a foreshortened view with parts broken out and showing inmore detail the operating elements of the tracking as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a View similar to FIG. 17, in more detail showing theoperating elements as in the positions illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along line 19-19of FIG. 15, looking in direction of arrows.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, taken along line 20--20 of FIG.15.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 18,looking in direction of arrows.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view showing other details ofconstruction.

The present invention is shown installed in a tunnel 11 having a floor12 on which are deposited rocks, earth and other material 13 which mustbe excavated and removed. The material 13 is primarily the result ofblasting or other excavating operations at the head 14 of the tunnel 11.A conventional means of removing the debris is by means of tracks 16,such as conventional railroad tracks preferably of narrow gauge. Wheeledcars 17 are moved along such tracks. Excavating equipment such as amucking machine 18 at the head of the tunnel is also supported by meansof tracks. The machine 18 loads debris 13 into cars 17 whence it may beremoved by means of tracks 16 to a suitable dump. It will be understood,however, that it is not necessary that tracks be used in accordance withthe present invention, but on the other hand other types of wheeledequipment or crawler equipment may be substituted. The present inventionprovides a support for trackways as illustrated herein but also mayprovide a firm support for other equipment and vehicles.

The apparatus which is the subject of FIGS. 1 to 10 comprises at leastthree sections. To facilitate understanding of the invention, foursections are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but any number three or greater maybe employed. The various sections are preferably approximately equal inweight so that any two sections weigh considerably more than any singlesection. Thus, even if a single section has a certain amount ofequipment carried thereby, nevertheless the weight of the other twosections will exceed the single section and any reasonable quantity ofequipment which happens to be positioned thereupon.

As hereinafter described in detail, means is provided between adjacentsections for moving the sections apart and subsequently for pulling themtogether. Turning first to the schematic view of FIGS. 2A to 2Einclusive, it will be seen that there are four sections numbered 21A to21D inclusive proceeding from the forward end of the tunnel rearwardly.At the commencement of operations, the four sections are longitudinallyaligned and all adjacent sections are abutting. This position isillustrated in FIG. 2A. The first step in the movement of the apparatusis to advance the forward section 21A by maintaining sections 21B to 21Dinclusive stationary and pushing section 21A forwardly. The weight ofthe three stationary sections considerably exceeds that of section 21Aand hence, even though the machine 18 may be installed on section 21Athe three rearward sections will remain in place while the forwardsection advances. Completion of this movement is shown in FIG. 2B. Thenext step is to move the second section 21B into abutting relationshipwith section 21A. Such movement is accomplished by pulling section 21Btoward section 21A and at the same time pushing section 21B away fromsection 21C, the combined weight of sections 21A, C and D exceeding thatof section 21B. Completion of this movement is shown in FIG. 2C. Next,section 21C is pulled into abutment with section 21B, the first twosections 21A, 21B serving as an anchor; this movement being showncompleted in FIG. 2D. Finally, section 21D is pulled up to section 21C;this movement being completed in FIG. 2E.

In the rearward section 21D is a switch 22 which enables cars andequipment advancing on track 16 to be switched either to trackway 23 orparallel trackway 24. Thus empty cars may be switched onto trackway 23and full cars returned on trackway 24. Parallel tracks 23 and 24continue on section 21C. On section 21B, however, is installed a secondswitch 26 whereby cars on tracks 23 and 24 are switched back to acentral track 27. Track 27 continues onto section 21A. Certain equipmentsuch as a drilling jumbo which has a broader gauge may be transportedalong outside tracks 28, 29 which extend the entire length of the foursections 21A to 21D inclusive. It will be understood, however, that thisfeature of the invention is subject to considerable modification.

One preferred means of advancing the sections relative to each other isillustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus section 21A isformed with a bottom plate 31A and section 21B with a correspodingbottom plate 31B. These two plates are preferably at about the samelevel and slide over the floor of the tunnel as the units are advanced.If desired, timbers, rollers or other means may be installed under theplates 31A and 31B to facilitate advancement, but ordinarily the muck ordirt on the floor of the tunnel provides a suitable sliding surface.Supported above the forward end of plate 31B is an upper support 31Cwhich slides on top of plate 31A. Elevated above plate 31A is a parallelhorizontal plate 32A upon which the various tracks heretofore mentionedrest. Transverse spacers 33A and longitudinal spacers 35 'are interposedbetween plates 31A and 32A to hold same in proper vertical alignment.Similarly in section 21B is a horizontal plate 32B which is elevatedabove plate 31B and which in turn supports the various trackshereinafter and heretofore described in detail. Spacers 33B hold theplates in parallel arrangement.

A hydraulic cylinder 34 is mounted in horizontal longitudinal positionupon plate 31C. A stud 36 at the head end of cylinder 34 is attached bymeans of pin 37 to bracket members 3S which are fixed to plate 32B or anextension thereof as shown particularly in FIG. 5. The rod 41 ofcylinder 34 is connected by pin 42 to clevis members 43 which are xed tosection 21A as for example to plate 32A or an extension thereof.Longitudinally extending channels 46 are mounted parallel to cylinder 34to protect the same and webs 47 inter-connect channels 46 and areprovided with non-circular apertures 48 through which members 43 extend.This permits a certain amount of lateral movement as the units areadvanced. Straps 49 as shown in FIG. 6 may be positioned over channels46 and web 4S to further reinforce the structure.

It will thus be seen that when hydraulic power is applied to cylinder34, the rod 41 is extended thereby forcing the unit 21A away from theunit 21B. Since the cylinder 34 is preferably double acting, contractionof the rod 4l Within the cylinder 34 tends to pull the unit 21B towardunit 21A particularly if unit 21B is pushed away from unit 21Csimultaneously. There are preferably two cylinders 34 between each pairof units, but this number is subject to considerable variation dependingupon the capacity of the cylinder and the load which must be handledthereby.

The foregoing description of the apparatus discloses the essentials ofthe present invention. However, there are certain refinements of theinvention illustrated in the accompanying drawings which will next bedescribed. Turning attention rst to FIGS. 3C and 9, it will be seen thatthe rails 96 which comprise the track 27 of that section are mountedabove plate 32A by longitudinal pad 97. It will further be seen that inaddition to spacers 33A there are longitudinal spacers 98 at either edgeof plate 32A and that there are longitudinal edge pieces 99 outwardly ofspacers 98. A plurality of angles 51 with their apexes uppermost extendlongitudinally parallel to tracks 96. Such arrangement rigidies theleading section and reduces the tendency of the same to be damaged byearth and rock falling thereon from the head of the tunnel. Further,this arrangement facilitates loading of the debris onto the cars bymeans of the mucking machine 18.

Turning attention to FIG. 8 which shows a portion of section 21B, theoutside rails 28 and 29 for the drilling jumbo or the like are thereillustrated. Rails S6, 57 which together comprise track 23 areillustrated as are rails 5S, 59, which together comprise track 24.Outwardly of rails 57 and 59, respectively, are rails 61 and 62 whichare in substantial alignment with rai-ls 46 shown in FlG. 9. Thisarrangement of the rails permits versatility in that the spacing andpositioning of the rails is such that cars 17 may be moved on onetrackway to trackway 23 comprising rails 56 and 57, or on anothertrackway such as trackway 24 comprising rails 58 and 59, or may move onstill a third central longitudinal trackway comprising rails 61 and 62depending upon operating conditions in the tunnel and the type ofequipment.

FIGS. 4 and 7 illustrate a further feature of the invention. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 4, the track 16 which leads back to the open end of thetunnel comprises rails 66 and 67 supported on ties 66 and is a more orless stationary structure. At the section shown in FIG. 7, there is abottom plate 31D and a parallel horizontal upper platel 32D. Extendinginwardly on either side and supported by plate 32D is a support 71having a track surface 72 in alignment with rails 66 or 67. Support 71is spaced above plate 32D a distance greater than the height of a rail,such as rail 67. This enables a rail 73 to be positioned under support71 between plate 32D and the support 71 and in substantial alignmentwith tracks 66 and 67. Such rail 73 is attached at its rearward end bymeans of ishplate '74 to the forward end of rail 66 or 67. Thus the rail73 is held stationary as unit 21D is advanced and slides relative toplate 32D. As the rail 73 is exposed, additional ties 68 may beinstalled under it and hence as the apparatus which is the subject ofthis invention advances, it automatically lays track behind it whichconnects to the track 16 and permits equipment and cars to move from thehead of the tunnel back to its outer end. Ramps 76 slant upwardly fromthe level of rails 66 or 67 to support 72 and are disposed at therearward end of section 21D. Examination of FIG. 7 will show aconvenient means whereby spare rails 77 may be stored between rails 73for eventual use as the apparatus progresses into the tunnel.

The foregoing structure, particularly as shown in FIG. 6, compriseguides during the longitudinal movement so as to maintain alignment ofthe adjoining roadbed sections While permitting limited longitudinalmovement. Hence, the structure inches along in a straight line with thetrackways of the adjoining sections in straight alignment.

In the modification of FIG. l0, portable means is shown for pushing theadjacent units apart and subsequently pulling them together. Such a unitmay be transported by various means such as a crane, or may be mountedon a car (not shown) traveling on the rails heretofore mentioned.Essentially, the device comprises a substantially horizontallongitudinal top member 81 from which depend forward and rearward legs82 and 83, respectively, pivoted to member 81 by pins S4. At the lowerend of each leg 82, S3 is a slot 86 which receives transverse horizontalbar 87a, 8711, lixed to sections 21a, 2lb, respectively. Mounted betweenlegs 82 and 83 and extending horizontally longitudinally is a doubleacting cylinder 83 pivoted at one end by means of pivot S9 to leg 83 andhaving its rod 91 pivoted by means of pivot 92 to leg 82.

In use, when cylinder 88 is expanded, legs S2 and 83 are spread apartwhich move section 21a forwardly. Subsequently, when double actingcylinder 88 is contracted, section 2lb is moved forwardly into abutmentwith section 21a. It will be understood that the apparatus illustratedin FIG. l0 may be moved to position between any two adjacent sections toaccomplish such movement and that in other respects the apparatus issubstantially identical wtih that heretofore described.

In essence, therefore, the form of invention shown in FIGS. l to l0comprises at least three roadbed units arranged in line with the weightof any one unit substantially less than that of the remaining two. Meansis provided to push the forward unit forwardly, the weight of the othertwo units serving as an anchor. In the next step, the second unit issimultaneously pulled toward the first unit and pushed away from thethird unit until it abuts the first unit; the weight of the first andthird units serves as an anchor during this step. Finally, the thirdunit is pulled into abutment with the second unit, the rst and secondunits serving as an anchor during this operation.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 to 22, the inventionconsists of two inter-connected relatively movable trackbed formingunits each having co-extending haulage rails or gantry rails or both. Incases where rubber-tired or crawler equipment is to be used, the railsmight be eliminated entirely, or wheel slots may be substituted for therails. Each of these two inter-connected movable units, consisting of asuitable foundation structure, as for example, steel plates with crossmembers are of a length suicient to accommodate whatever constructionmachines are to be unitilized, such as a drill carriage, a mechanicalmuck removing shovel, a car transferring gantry, when used, and alimited number of empty muck hauling cars. As these units are advancedthe aforesaid devices will be moved from one unit to another so that theadvancing unit or the retrieved unit will be without a load. In theirinter-connected relation the units are moved forward alternately sledfashion along the door of the tunnel by mechanical means as the blastingand mucking operations are completed. Then to complete the trackway outof the tunnel for the muck haulage cars, new sections of trackway willbe added at the rear of the retrieved sliding trackway unit.

While the means for moving the inter-connected trackway units is hereshown as consisting of hydraulic or fluid pressure cylinders, therelative motion of the two sections can also be accomplished by aditerent cylinder arrangement or by other means as by use of ropes andpulleys, gearing or other mechanisms. When the forward movable unit isadvanced with reference to the trailing unit the resulting gap betweenthe two units will be bridged by means of temporary rail sections thatwill permit the tunneling machines to be moved across the gap while thetwo movable units are in the position of separation. These temporarysections of rail will then be removed prior to a retrieving of the rearsliding unit.

For a better understanding and detailed description of the inventionreference is now made to the accompanying drawings, where in FIG. 13there is a pictorial showing of apparatus such as might be used upon atrackway system constructed in accordance with the invention. In thisshowing the numeral 110 designates in its entirety a muck handlingshovel or mucker that is designed to transfer the loose blasted rock ormuck at the face of the tunnel to muck cars 111 for haulage out of thetunnel. In addition to the mucker 110 and a plurality of muck cars 111there is shown in outline a gantry type transferring device 112 by whichthe empty muck cars 111 may be picked up from the muck car trackway andadvanced to a position at the cars loading end of the mucker 110. Thisfigure of the drawing shows only a portion 114 of one of the trackwayunits which are employed in making up the complete trackway system. Atthe leading end of this portion 114 of the trackway there is a muck pile115 that has resulted from a completed blasting operation at the face116 of the tunnel.

By now referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings, it will be seenthat the trackway 114 as a whole consists as mentioned of twointer-connected units 117 and 118 which are articulately connectedtogether by an intermediate rail carrying member 119 that is hingedlyconnected to the rear end of the forward unit 117 as at 120 and isslidably mounted in overlaying relation upon the forward end of thetrailing or rear unit 118 as at 121. The mucker 110 is here shown inFIG. 14 as positioned upon the forward unit 117, but in the showing ofFIG. the mucker 110 has been omitted. It will be understood, however,that the mucker 110 could Well be held on the rear or trailing unit 118as the unit 117 is being moved forward with respect to the unit 118. Ithas been found that the holding action of the stationary one of the twounits 117 and 118 is enhanced if this unit is weighted down by thetransfer of the mucker 11) and/ or other apparatus to that particularunit to thus leave the remaining movable unit free of any load, It isduring these operations that I provide the temporary rail sections whichare employed when moving the mucker or other apparatus from the trailingunit 118 to the forward or advanced unit 117. The temporary tracksection (not shown) may consist of a unit having four lengths of railmounted for alignment with the rails 122 and 123 of the trackway formingunits 117 and 118, or it may consist of four separate lengths of rail. F

For length, the rails of this track section will range from six totwelve feet, depending upon the separation between the trackway units atthis point. Following its use, this temporary rail section will be takenaway to permit movement of the trailing unit 11S up to and in trackwaycompleting relationship with the intermediate rail carrying member 119after the unit 117 is advanced. The forward or leading unit 117 is shownas having inner trackway forming rails 122 and outer gantry trackwayforming rails 123. The outer gantry trackway forming rails 123 terminateshort of the forward end of the unit 117 as the drilling jumbo will besupported upon its gantry in such a manner that the drilling can proceedwith the gantry some distance away from the tunnel face 116. However,the inner trackway forming rails 122 are shown as extending for the fulllength of the unit 117. In like manner the trailing unit 118 has similarinner trackway forming rails 122 and outer gantry trackway forming rails123 which terminate at their forward end at a point 124 where thesetrackways are completed over rails carried by the intermediate railcarrying member 119, which as described above is connected to the rearend of the forward unit 117 with the rails thereupon in coextendingrelation between the rails upon the units 117 and 118 which form thetrackway 122 and the trackway 123. In adaptations of my sliding trackwaywhere other methods of muck car passing are employed, the gantry railsmay be omitted or more than one pair of haulage rails may be installedthereon. The novelty of the invention is not to be restricted to theprecise principle described as the invention will be found equallyuseful for the purpose of advancing a section of trackage, such as a carswitching siding or for passing trackways located at some distance fromthe working face for the particular operation.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 16, 17 and 1S of the drawings, whereinthere is shown in a somewhat larger scale further details of theinvention. In these figures of the drawings the intermediate railcarrying member 119 is in the form of an open rectangular frame havingspaced parallel longitudinally extending portions that form supports forco-extending lengths of rail 125 which serve as a part of the narrowgauge trackway rails 122 and outer rails 126 which form a part of thegantry trackway rails 123 when the two units 117 and 118 are broughttogether, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. As a means for articulatelyconnecting the trackway units 117 and 118 together through the medium ofthe intermediate rail carrying member 119, I here show this means ascomprising a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which are secured upon theforward end of the trailing trackway unit 118. Due to the lack of headroom and clearance the diameter of these cylinders may be limited, inwhich case in order to obtain the powerful thrust necessary to producethe required relative movement between the trackway units 117 and 118, Ishow two outer hydraulic cylinders 127 and an intermediate cylinder 128.The cylinders 127 are each shown as having a forwardly operating pistonrod 129 that is connected to the inner wall at the forward end of theintermediate rail carrying member 119 and the cylinder 128 is shown ashaving a rearwardly extending piston 130 which is connected to theopposite end of the intermediate rail carrying member 119. With thecylinders 127 and 128 secured in a fixed position at the forward end ofthe trackway carrying unit 118 it will be apparent that when the forwardunit 117 is being advanced in the tunnel chamber the pistons 129 of thecylinders 127 will operate with a pushing etort while the piston 130 ofthe inner cylinder 128 will operate to exert a pulling force upon theintermediate rail carrying member. Contrariwise, when the trailingtrackway carrying unit 118 is being retrieved and brought up to and intofull cooperating relation with the advanced trackway carrying unit 117,the pistons 129 will operate to exert a pulling force upon the trackwayunit 11S while the piston 130 will operate to exert a pushing force uponthis trackway unit. In order to provide for this mode of operation itwill be understood that each of the hydraulic cylinders 127 and 128 willbe connected through interrelated control valves (not shown) to asuitable source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, or a compressed airsystem such as will be available for the operation of the pneumatic rockdrilling tools carried by the jumbo which will provide for thesimultaneous operation of the individual piston rods 129 and 130.

In the sectional views as in FIGS. 19 and 20, taken from FIG. 15, itwill be noted that the forward trackway unit 117 carries the outergantry rails 123 up to a point short of the forward end of this unit 117for a distance comparable to the distance provided for the advance ofthis unit from the trailing trackway carrying unit 11S. This is possiblefor the reason that the drilling jumbo can work this rearward positionand without supporting rails beyondy this point. However, as shown inFIG. 20 the inner muck haulage trackway rails 122 are extended to theextreme end of the unit 117. This for the reason that the mucker 110must necessarily work at a distance outwardly in advance of the forwardend of the trackway carrying unit 117. In these sectional views, I haveshown the forward unit 117 as being moved over a temporary bed oflongitudinally extending ties 131 and at the sides thereof I may providea flashing of timbers 132 that may be independent of or formed as a partof the unit 117, but it will be understood that these ties 131 and theflashing or timbers 132 may be omitted where the conditions encounteredwill not require the employment of these expedients. In fact, it isanticipated that in tunneling into solid rock and like formations thesliding trackway units 117 and 118 may be supported and advanceddirectly over the oor of the tunnel with no such manual labor as wouldbe required in the laying of the ties as here shown. In these showingsthe unit 117 like the unit 118 will also be provided with a iiooringwhich as in these showings may consist of inverted angle irons 133 thatextend longitudinally of the unit. The angle irons 133 are here shown inan inverted position primarily as protection against falling rock andearth dislodged by a blast.

Upon now referring to FIG. 2l of the drawings, it will be noted that thecylinders 127 and the cylinder 12S are iixed upon the floor of thetrailing unit 118 by means of clamping stanchions 1341, three of whichare employed at each end of these cylinders. With this arrangement thecylinders 127 and 128 are held in a fixed position and in a side by siderelationship upon the unit 11S as the unit 117 is being advanced andalso during the retrieving operation of the trailing unit 118. It willbe here noted that the inner rails 125 and the outer rails 126 areformed in a novel manner upon the relatively movable overlayingintermediate trackway carrying unit 119.

In order to provide for a certain amount of flexibility and freedom ofmovement between the trackway carrying units 117 and 118, these unitsare connected by hinge like connections 35 having pintles 136 whichextend in a horizontal line and the ends of the pistons 129 and thepiston 130 are connected to transverse ends 137 of the intermediatetrackway carryingv unit 119 by a clevis-like connection 138 having avertically extending pintle 139.

Considering now the method of the present invention, it will be seenthat in its broad aspect there are provided two sections of trackwayhaving bottom surfaces slidable along the tunnel door, each sectioncomprising one or more sub-sections and the sections capable ofsupporting units of heavy equipment. The first step comprisesestablishing a trailing section comprised of one or more sub-sectionsand a forward section comprised of one or more sub-sections, theestablishment of the two sections being such that the combined weight ofthe trailing section and including its sub-sections and equipment, ifany, supported thereby is greater than the combined weight of theforward section including its sub-sections and equipment, if any,supported thereby. The second step comprises moving the trailing andforward sections apart, the trailing section by reason of its greaterweight remaining stationary and the forward section advancing. The thirdstep comprises re-establishing second forward and second trailingsections such that the combined weight of the second forward section andequipment, if any, supported thereby is greater than the weight of thesecond trailing section and equipment, if any, supported thereby. Thisthird step may be accomplished in various ways, such as movement ofequipment or by re-grouping trackway subsections so that sub-sectionspreviously in the first trailing section are now in the second forwardsection. The fourth step comprises moving the trailing unit and forwardunits together, the second forward section by reason of its greaterweight remaining stationary and the second trailing section being pulledup to meet the second forward section.

One form of the method is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 2A to 2E,and wherein the third step of the method has been accomplished byre-grouping the sub-sections so that unit 2lb is in the rst step a partof the trailing section (FIG. 2B) and in the third step is a part of theforward section (FIG. 2C). Weight of equipment is ignored in this formofthe method.

A second form of the method is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 11A to11D, wherein but two sections of trackway 117 and 118 are used, butheavy equipment 110 is positioned in step one on the trailing unit 118and then is transferred (as by use of temporary track) to the forwardunit 117 in step three. This form of the method preferably usesequipment shown in FIGS. 13 to 22. Thus, in FIG. 11A the mucking machine110 has been moved to thet railing section 118 of trackway. In FIG. 11Bthe weight of the trailing section 118, plus machine 110, exceeds theweight of the forward section and the forward section is thus pushedforward by expansion of rod 130 out of cylinder 128. In FIG. llC themachine has now been moved to the forward section 117 so that the weightof this section is now the greater. Step four, illustrated in FIG. llD,shows the trailing section 118 pulled up to meet the forward section 117by contraction of cylinder 128.

Another form of the method is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 12A to12D. The structure is similar to that in the previous modication, inthat two track sections are used. Muck cars 141 are shown on theytrailing section 113rz of track, a mucking machine 110 on the forwardsection 117a. The weight of the trailing section 118a and equipment 141,as shown in FIG. 12A, is greater than that of the forward section 117e.FIG. 12B shows the forward section 11761 pushed forward by action Yofcylinder 119a as the second step. FIG. 12C shows the third step which inthis instance involves moving the cars 141 olf the trailing sectionrearwardly-as onto the permanent track 142 leading to the tunnel mouth.At this time, the weight of the forward section 11751, plus equipment110, is greater than that of the trailing section 11811.

'The final step shown in FIG. 12D involves pulling the trailing section118rz up to the forward section 117a by action of cylinder 119:1.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in 'some detail, byway of illustration and example for purhaving a bottom surface adaptedfor longitudinal movement over the ground, each said unit also having atop surface over which earth moving equipment may move, and meanscarried by one said unit for moving said units apart in co-extendingrelationship to each other and subsequently moving said units together.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said last mentioned meanscomprises a hydraulic cylinder having one end attached to one said unitand having a rod attached to the adjacent unit.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said last mentioned meanscomprises a frame, means for transporting said frame, means on saidframe for attachment to each of two said units, and means carried bysaid frame for forcing apart said last mentioned means.

4. Apparatus according to claim l, in which said last mentioned meanscomprises expandable means fixed at one end to one said unit and havinga movable portion attached to the adjacent unit.

5. Apparatus according to claim l, in which said units carry tracks ontheir top surfaces, the rearward unit being formed with a wheel supportin alignment with one said track, and having a longitudinal slideway foran extensible track immediately beneath said wheel support, saidextensible track being of the same width as said rst-mentioned track,whereby said extensible track in said slideway may be anchored to astationary support partially beneath said wheel support and partiallyexposed outside said slideway to establish continuous communicationrunning along the entire length of said extensible track which isexposed outside said slideway, thence on said wheel support, and thenceon said tracks on said units.

6. Apparatus according to claim l, in which each said unit carries atleast one set of tracks, all of said tracks comprising an integralsystem of equal track width, at least two said units carrying switches,with double tracks between said switches, whereby empty dump cars may beheld on one set of said double tracks and full dump cars held on theother set of said double tracks.

7. A sliding roadbed comprising at least three sectionsA in end-to-endarrangement, the weight of any one said section being less than thecombined weight of the other said sections, expandable and contractablemeans interposed between the first and second sections and between thesecond and third sections to push adjacent sections apart upon expansionof said means and to pull adjacent sections together upon contraction ofsaid means, whereby said roadbed may be advanced longitudinally bysequential advance of said sections in order.

8. A sliding roadbed comprising at least three sections in end-to-endarrangement, skid means on the bottom of each said section to facilitatelongitudinal sliding of said section, and mechanically actuated meansinterposed between each of two adjacent sections for applying expandingand contracting forces between adjacent sections to cause one saidsection to slide longitudinally relative to the other said sections,whereby said roadbed may be advanced longitudinally by sequentialadvance of each section individually in order.

9. A method of the character described, wherein roadbed sections areplaced end-to-end and are provided with means for limited movement ofthe ends of said sections spaced horizontally apart while maintainingalignment of Athe adjoining sections during movement, the step ofapplying to a first said section a weight greater than that of a secondsaid section, applying force between the sections to slide said firstsection longitudinally for said limited movement while maintaining saidsecond section stationary, shifting the relative weights of saidsections whereby said second section has a weight greater than saidfirst section, and applying force between said sections to draw saidsecond section in the same longitudinal direction into alignment withsaid iirst section.

10. In a system of the character described for advancing a roadbed intoa normally inaccessible area, the combination of a first movable roadbedunit of a length sufficient to support sizeable earth boring apparatus,a second movable roadbed unit of corresponding length disposedhorizontally displaced with reference to said first movable roadbed unitin trailing relationship with said first movable roadbed unit, and meanscarried by one of said roadbed units for moving said first movableroadbed unit without apparatus thereupon in an advancing manner withrespect to said second movable roadbed unit while said apparatus issupported thereupon and subsequently operating to move said secondroadbed unit up to and in roadbed completing relationship with said rstmovable unit after each advance of said first movable unit.

11. In a trackway laying system for tunneling operations of thecharacter described, the combination of a.

A rst movable apparatus supporting trackway unit, a second relativelymovable apparatus supporting trackway unit disposed in trailing andcoextending relationship with said first movable trackway unit, powermeans carried by said second trackway unit for pushing said firsttrackway unit in an advancing manner away from said second movabletrackway unit and subsequently operating to pull said second trackwayunit up to and in trackway completing relationship with said firsttrackway unit after each advance of said first trackway unit, and meansforming a temporary trackway connection between said first and secondtrackway units following each advance of said first trackway unit withrespect to said second trackway unit, all of said trackway units beingof the same wheel gage.

l2. A track laying system for tunneling operations, comprising a firstunit having rails forming a trackway for muck removing cars and othertunnel constructing apparatus, a second unit disposed in co-extendingrelation with said first unit having similar trackway forming rails, anintermediate rail carrying unit secured to the adjacent end of saidfirst unit and overlying a portion at the adjacent end of said secondunit normally forming a continuous trackway throughout the length ofsaid first and second units, means carried by said second unit formoving said intermediate rail carrying unit into co-extending relationtherewith, whereby said first unit will be advanced in a forwarddirection away from said second unit, said means being also operative ina reverse manner to pull said second unit up to and in trackwaycompleting relationship with said first unit following each forwardmovement thereof, and trackway means for temporarily bridging the gapbetween said second unit and said intermediate rail carrying memberfollowing each advance of said first unit.

13. A track laying system for tunneling operations, comprising a rstunit having a length of narrow gauge trackway for muck removing cars anda wider gauge trackway for gantry type apparatus, a second unit disposedin co-extending relation with said first unit having similar narrow andwide gauge trackways, an intermediate rail carrying member havingcorresponding trackways secured to the adjacent end of said first unitand overlying a portion of said second unit and normally formingcontinuous trackways throughout the length of said first and secondunits when in abutting relation, means for moving said intermediatecarrying member into extended relation with said second unit, wherebysaid first unit will be caused to move away from said second unit afterwhich said means will become operative in a reverse manner to pull saidsecond unit up to and in trackway completing relationship wth said firstunit, and trackway means for temporarily bridging the gap between saidsecond unit and said intermediate rail carrying member following eachadvance of said first unit.

14. A track laying system for tunneling operations, comprising a firstunit having a length of narrow gauge trackway for muck removing cars anda wider gauge trackway for gantry type apparatus, a second unit disposedin coextending relation wtih said first unit having similar narrow andWide gauge trackways, an intermediate trackway carrying unit secured tothe adjacent end of said tirst unit and overlying a portion at theadjacent end of said second unit and normally forming continuoustrackways throughout the length of said rst and second units, meanscarried by said second unit for moving said intermediate trackwaycarrying unit into co-extending relation therewith, whereby said firstunit will be caused to move in a forward direction away from, and inspaced relation with said second unit, said means being also operativein a reverse manner to pull said second unit into trackway completingrelationship with said first unit following each forward movement ofsaid first unit, whereby tunneling apparatus may be moved from saidsecond unit to said first unit following each advance of said firstunit.

15. A track laying system for tunneling operations, comprising a firstunit having a length of narrow gauge trackway for muck removing cars anda wider gauge trackway for gantry type apparatus, a second unit disposedin co-extending relation having similar narrow and Wide gauge trackways,in intermediate trackway carrying unit secured to the trailing end ofsaid first unit and slidably mounted upon the leading end of said secondunit and normally forming continuous trackways thereover and throughoutthe length of said first and second units, hydraulic means carried bysaid second unit for moving said intermediate trackway carrying unitforward and into extended relation with said second unit, whereby saidfirst unit will be caused to advance with respect to said second unit,said hydraulic means being also operative in a reverse manner to pullsaid second unit up to and in trackway completing relationship with saidfirst unit following each trackway advancing movement of said firstunit, and means for closing the gap formed in the trackway between saidunits resulting from movement of said intermediate trackway upon saidsecond unit, whereby the load carried by said units will be transferredfrom one to the other as a means for anchoring one of said units whilethe other of said units is being moved relative thereto.

16. The method for advancing rail supported earth boring apparatus fortunneling purposes, which consists in supporting the apparatus upon anadvancing trackway system having two substantially equal lengths and ofsimilar construction horizontally displaced from each other in trailingrelation, each of said lengths of trackway being sufficient to supportthe necessary apparatus for an earth boring and mucking operation, andtransferring said earth boring and mucking apparatus horizontally fromone to the other of said lengths of trackway and moving the unloadedlength of said trackway system horizontally while the other length oftrackway is weighted down by said apparatus.

17. A method of providing support for earth-moving equipment byadvancing trackway units, each having at least one sub-section,comprising:

establishing trackway units in a tunnel construction wherein said unitsprovide a base for longitudinal movement of equipment used in tunnelconstruction,

14 each of said trackway units comprising a first stationary sectionfrom among said units having one or more sub-sections and a firstmovable section having one sub-section with the combined weight of thefirst stationary section and equipment supported thereby materiallyexceeding the combined weight of the first movable section and equipmentsupported thereby; moving said first movable and first stationarysections apart, the first stationary section remaining stationary byreason of its greater weight; establishing a second stationary sectionhaving one or more sub-sections and a second movable section having onesub-section with the combined weight of the second stationary sectionand equipment supported thereby materially exceeding the combined weightof the second movable section and equipment supported thereby; andmoving the second movable section to abutting relation with at least onesub-section of said second stationary section, the second stationarysection remaining stationary by reason of its greater weight. 18. Themethod of claim 17 in which said establishing a second stationarysection comprises disconnecting from said first stationary section atleast one sub-section and connecting said last mentioned sub-section tosaid second stationary section.

19. The method of claim 17 in which said establishing a secondstationary section comprises moving off said first stationary section atleast some of the equipment which was on said first stationary sectionwhen said firstmentioned moving step was performed.

20. The method of claim 17 in which said establishing a secondstationary section comprises moving off said first stationary sectionand away from said first movable section at least some of the equipmentwhich was on said first stationary section when said establishing asecond stationary section was performed.

21. The method of claim 17 in which said establishing a secondstationary section comprises moving off said first stationary sectionand on to said first movable section at least some of the equipmentwhich was on said first stationary section when said establishing asecond stationary section was performed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,165,254 Heiberg Dec. 21, 1915 2,062,657 Joy Dec. 1, 1936 2,876,952Washabaugh Mar. 10, 1959

1. IN ROADBED SYSTEM FOR EARTH BORING EQUIPMENT MEANS PROVIDING ASUPPORT FOR EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT, A FIRST MOVABLE ROADBED UNIT, ASECOND MOVABLE ROADBED UNIT HORIZONTALLY DISPLACED WITH REFERENCE TOSAID FIRST UNIT AND IN TRAILING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID FIRST UNIT, EACHSAID UNIT HAVING A BOTTOM SURFACE ADAPTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OVERTHE GROUND, EACH SAID UNIT ALSO HAVING A TOP SURFACE OVER WHICH EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAY MOVE, AND MEANS CARRIED BY ONE SAID UNIT FOR MOVINGSAID UNITS APART IN CO-EXTENDING RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER ANDSUBSEQUENTLY MOVING SAID UNITS TOGETHER.